Development partners critical to power sector reform, says Nebo

The Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo has said that the contributions of donor agencies and development partners are critical to the ongoing reforms in the power sector.

Nebo who made the remark while speaking at a get-together in honour of Ambassadors David Macrea and Pierre Fehye of European Union, EU, in Abuja acknowledged the valuable collaborators in driving the nation’s power reform.

According to him, “our development partners have pledged important roles in advancing the goal and ambitions of this administration in the power sector.”

“Already the EU has demonstrated this commitment, thanks largely to the leadership role these envoys have played, he said.

It is on record, he said, that the support has influenced the ongoing collaboration between the EU and GIZ in developing and implementing a €36 million grant, which EU is providing the some of €27 million for the development of renewable energy sources in Nigeria.

While calling for continued support from other development partners, the Minister said Nigeria would appreciate further initiatives like these ones, all geared towards ensuring access to power by Nigerians in an equitable, competitive, and efficient manner that meets market demand and global best practices.

In his goodwill message, Mr. Patrick of UNIDO identified power and development as interwoven, just as he expressed optimism that UNIDO and other development partners will continue to assist Nigeria to overcome its power sector challenges especially in the area of filling financing gap of some projects in the sector.

Ambassador David Macrea said that the way the federal government is taking on power sector reform is bold and right, and expressed confidence that in two years time, there would be remarkable improvement in power supply.

He urged Nigeria to continue to cooperate with development partners so as to see the power sector out of its present predicament.